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Police describe strain from hospital transports when county jail won’t accept arrestees with minor injuries
Summary
Hagerstown police officials told the Mayor and Council Sept. 23 that when the county jail’s medical contractor will not admit arrestees with minor injuries, officers must transport detainees to hospitals and wait for physician clearance, tying up officers and creating overtime pressures.
Hagerstown police officials and staff described operational difficulties when the Washington County jail’s contracted medical staff declines to accept arrestees with minor injuries, requiring officers to transport those individuals to hospitals and remain with them until cleared by a physician.
Officer responsibility and medical screening process: The council heard from Keith Kiefer (presenter) that when officers arrest someone who must be booked, the county jail’s contracted medical staff evaluates whether the person can be admitted to the jail. If the jail’s medical staff determines the person requires hospital clearance, the police must transport the person to a hospital, wait for medical evaluation and physician clearance, and then transport the person back to the county jail. While in custody, officers remain responsible for the arrestee and cannot release them; that responsibility can consume multiple officers and many hours, Kiefer said.
Operational impacts and frequency: Kiefer said the department is seeing these hospital‑wait incidents “routinely” and that they often involve injuries associated with intravenous drug use and open wounds. The department described recurring overtime to staff officers at hospitals while arrestees are evaluated; the practice reduces patrol availability and can change arrest decisions in the field when officers weigh the burden of extended hospital waits.
Possible solutions discussed: Council members and staff discussed several possible responses, none of which were implemented at the meeting: hiring or contracting an on‑call, sworn officer (for example a retired certified officer) to sit with arrestees at the hospital and transport them back when cleared; coordinating with the county to share on‑call staffing; and exploring whether the jail’s contract for medical services or staffing model could be changed so the jail would accept some cases. Participants also discussed whether funding might support on‑site medical coverage at central booking and whether the county could supply staff to reduce police time at hospitals.
No formal action was taken. Staff said they would discuss options further with county partners and report back.
